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Top Chinese diplomat visits Vietnam amid tensions Deadlock at China-Vietnam talks
(about 7 hours later)
China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi is in Vietnam for talks aimed at easing tension over territorial disputes. The first day of high-level talks between China and Vietnam over maritime disputes ended with no progress.
China's foreign ministry said Beijing hoped to have a "frank and deep exchange of opinions". The Vietnamese side made no statement after talks in Hanoi between Beijing's top diplomat Yang Jiechi and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.
Last month, China moved an oil rig to waters deep into territory claimed by both countries off the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. However, in a regular media briefing China's foreign ministry accused Vietnam of "hyping up" the issue.
Vietnam reacted angrily, and anti-China riots and attacks on factories left several people dead. The talks are the first since the territorial disputes sparked anti-China riots across Vietnam last month.
Many of the factories were in fact Taiwanese owned. The riots and attacks on factories left several people dead. Many of the factories were in fact Taiwanese owned.
In response, China pulled many of its citizens out of Vietnam, and trade between the two countries has suffered badly. The riots were prompted by China moving an oil rig to a spot off the Paracel Islands in waters claimed by both countries.
Since then, Chinese and Vietnamese boats have been squaring off in waters near the rig, with a Vietnam boat sinking after it collided with a Chinese ship in late May. China's foreign affairs ministry spokesman Hua Chunying gave some details of the talks during a media briefing in Beijing.
Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said the oil rig would be discussed during talks with Mr Yang. She said Mr Yang had told hosts that the presence of the rig was "completely legal".
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement that she hoped Vietnam could "focus on the big picture". Ms Hua said Vietnam was told to "stop its interference and harassment, stop hyping up the issue and stop whipping up disagreement to create new disputes".
Mr Yang posed for pictures with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Binh Min before starting a round of meetings. The talks are due to end on Thursday.
Mr Yang's visit is the highest-level direct contact since the oil rig was moved on 2 May. Since China moved the rig, boats from both countries have been squaring off in the surrounding waters.
A Vietnamese boat sunk after it collided with a Chinese ship in late May.
Vietnamese media reported on Wednesday that China had sent more ships and a helicopter to the rig.
China has said the rig will remain in its present location until August.China has said the rig will remain in its present location until August.
Both countries have also taken the dispute to the United Nations, and have submitted dossiers on their claims to UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon. Both countries have also taken the dispute to the United Nations, and have submitted dossiers on their claims to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Beijing had accused Vietnam of "provocations" in the South China Sea, claiming its ships had been rammed more than 1,400 times by Vietnamese vessels.Beijing had accused Vietnam of "provocations" in the South China Sea, claiming its ships had been rammed more than 1,400 times by Vietnamese vessels.
Beijing has also in recent weeks called Vietnam's claims to the Paracel Islands "absurd and laughable".Beijing has also in recent weeks called Vietnam's claims to the Paracel Islands "absurd and laughable".
But China is also going ahead with its own plans to boost its presence in the disputed area.But China is also going ahead with its own plans to boost its presence in the disputed area.
Over the weekend Beijing announced it will build a school in the Paracel Islands.Over the weekend Beijing announced it will build a school in the Paracel Islands.